Fortitude
/ˈfɔːrtɪˌtjuːd/
nounC1
Definition
Fortitude is the mental strength to face problems, pain, or danger without giving up or feeling weak. It means being brave and patient, especially during hard times. People with fortitude keep going even when things are tough.
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See It in Action
Mental strength to face pain or difficulty
- •She showed great fortitude during her long illness.
- •The soldiers had the fortitude to continue despite the dangers.
- •It takes fortitude to speak in front of a large crowd when you are nervous.
Courage and patience in hard situations
- •His fortitude helped him finish the difficult project on time.
- •Parents need fortitude when raising children through challenges.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "fortitude" like "brave" (A2 word), but also with patience and strength inside to keep going for a long time
- ✓Picture a tall, strong tree that stands firm during a big storm without breaking or falling
- ✓It's the feeling you have when you keep trying even if something is very difficult or painful
- ✓Sounds like "FOR-ti-tude" → imagine a strong "fort" (a safe, strong place) holding your courage inside
- ✓Think of heroes in stories who never give up, like someone climbing a mountain despite cold and wind
- ✓NOT like "fearless" (which means no fear at all), fortitude means you might feel fear but still act strong
- ✓NOT like "strength" (physical power), fortitude is about mental and emotional strength to face hard times
- ✓NOT like "patience" alone, fortitude combines patience with courage and inner power
Try Other Words
- •Strength: mental or physical power (Use when focusing on power, not necessarily patience)
- •Bravery: acting without fear (Use when emphasizing bold actions)
- •Endurance: ability to keep going through difficulty (Use when emphasizing lasting through time)
- •Patience: waiting calmly without anger (Use when focusing on calm waiting, less on courage)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "fort" (Latin for strong place) + "-itude" (a suffix meaning quality or state)
- •Etymology: From Latin "fortitudo," meaning strength or bravery
- •Historical development: Used since the 14th century in English to mean inner strength and courage
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe mental strength in difficult situations, especially in literature and formal speech
Reflect & Connect
•How can fortitude help people in everyday life, not just in big challenges?
•Can someone have courage without fortitude? What is the difference in how they act?
Fill in the blanks
1.Fortitude helps people stay ___ and ___ when facing pain or problems.
2.Even when scared, a person with fortitude will ___ their fear to keep going.
3.Unlike quick bravery, fortitude means having ___ patience over a long time.
4.The team showed fortitude ___ the whole difficult game, never giving up.
5.When someone has fortitude, they often feel ___ but still act strong.
6.Fortitude is often needed ___ situations where success takes a long time.
7.People with fortitude don’t just act bravely once; they keep their ___ strong through many challenges.